Strengthened commitment to CORSIA essential to successful decarbonization of civil aviation
Strengthened commitment to CORSIA essential to successful decarbonization of civil aviation
ICAO framework essential to achieving climate goals for air transport
On the eve of critical policy decisions in Europe, ICAO Council President Toshiyuki Onuma is warning that the multilateral ICAO framework currently decarbonizing global aviation could be undermined by fragmented national or regional initiatives. ICAO’s strategic plan envisions net-zero carbon emissions from civil aviation by 2050, with a comprehensive range of measures including the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels, lower carbon aviation fuels and other cleaner energies, technological innovation, and operational improvements.
“Collective and harmonized action through ICAO is the most effective way to address climate change and the best way to support aviation’s long-term sustainable growth,” President Onuma told the IATA Wings of Change conference.
ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) underpins carbon neutral growth for the aviation industry by encouraging the use of sustainable aviation fuels and high-quality carbon offsets. “The effectiveness and credibility of global solutions is undermined by uncoordinated national and local rules, like the proposed expansion of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme,” Mr. Onuma cautioned. “Extra taxes, or duplicative measures and requirements would also cause damage to the multilateral global approach.”
He called for governments to “align national efforts with ICAO in order to simplify regulation, reduce barriers, and build effective markets so that all can take part.” He also pointed to risk from outdated regulatory frameworks: “Frameworks created before Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), digital airspace, and advanced mobility are presenting challenges for air transport stakeholders.”
Looking ahead, the numbers are significant: ICAO estimates the industry will require $3.2 trillion in new investment for cleaner energy sources alone by 2050. However, the UN’s agency for civil aviation is ensuring its Member States are well prepared. Through its ACT-SAF programme, ICAO is provided assistance and capacity building, while ICAO’s Finvest Hub has already aggregated nearly 50 projects seeking more than $17 billion in capital.
Mr. Onuma said that the ICAO’s Worldwide Air Transport Conference next month will provide Member States with a crucial opportunity to take positive steps in the right direction Including discussion on reforms of the global economic framework governing civil aviation, with the agenda addressing a variety of issues including environmental sustainability.
15 October 2026